Referral for Texas School for the Blind

Edit 13 …
What's Required
Referral for the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired and the Texas School for the Deaf Services § 89.1085. An ARD/IEP Committee may place a student at the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired (TSBVI) or the Texas School for the Deaf (TSD) in accordance with the provisions of 34 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Part 300, the Texas Education Code (TEC).
What We Do
Based on evaluation, data and documentation, the IEP/ARD Committee determines eligibility for placement at Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired (TSBVI). In the event that a student is placed by the ARD/IEP Committee at the TSBVI, HISD is responsible for assuring that a free appropriate public education (FAPE) is provided to the student at the TSBVI. If HISD and representatives of the TSBVI disagree to a recommendation that the student be evaluated for placement, initially placed, or continued to be placed at the TSBVI, HISD and the TSBVI may seek resolution through the mediation procedures adopted by the Texas Education Agency or through any due process hearing to which the resident school district or the TSBVI are entitled under the IDEA.

Steps to Admission to TSBVI

When an ARD/IEP Committee places the student at the TSBVI, HISD will comply with the following requirements:
  • HISD will list the services in the student's individualized education program (IEP) which the TSBVI can appropriately provide.
  • The district may make an on-site visit to verify that the TSBVI can and will offer the services listed in the individual student's IEP and to ensure that the school offers an appropriate educational program for the student.
  • HISD will include in the student's IEP the criteria and estimated time lines for returning the student to the district.


Comprehensive Programs (Regular School Year)

  1. TSBVI serves students who are residents of Texas.
  2. Students must have been determined by HISD to be eligible for educational services as students with a visual impairment or deafblindness.
  3. Referrals for consideration for admission must be originated by HISD in collaboration with the student’s parent. TSBVI cannot accept direct parent referrals.
  4. The school is intended to serve students who require specialized or intensive educational or related services related to the visual impairment. The school is not intended to serve:
    • students whose needs are appropriately addressed in a home or hospital setting or in a residential treatment facility; or
    • students whose primary, ongoing needs are related to a severe or profound emotional, behavioral, or cognitive deficit. (TEC §30.021)
  5. The first point of contact at TSBVI is the Admissions Coordinator at 512-206-9182
  6. The Admissions Coordinator will explain the admissions process to the HISD representative..
  7. Based upon the information provided by the representative, the Admissions Coordinator will send application materials to HISD if the student meets the requirements for referral.
  8. At any point in the referral process, parents and HISD are welcome to tour the campus and meet staff members.
  9. HISD will hold an ARD Committee Meeting to request admission to TSBVI.
  10. The HISD sends the complete ARD Committee document and the application materials to the Admissions Coordinator.
  11. The Admissions Coordinator will schedule the student for consideration by the TSBVI Referral Committee. These meetings are held at least one time per month. The admissions materials must be received by TSBVI at least one week prior to the Referral Committee meeting. The Committee determines whether the student is admitted, not admitted or whether additional information is needed. An on-site visit to the local school district may be requested to obtain further information.
  12. The Admissions Coordinator will notify HISD of the decision of the Referral Committee.
  13. If HISD is not satisfied with the recommendation of the Referral Committee, it may appeal the decision to the Director of School and Student Services.
  14. If the student is admitted, the Principal and program supervisors determine the program placement and tentative enrollment date for the student.
  15. The Admissions Coordinator arranges the student's enrollment date with HISD and parents.
  16. Upon the student's arrival, an Admissions Staffing Meeting will be held. The student, parents,HISD staff members and TSBVI staff members will meet, preferably in person, to establish a shared vision of the program for the newly admitted student.
  17. Within five school days, TSBVI and HISD will hold a joint ARD Committee Meeting to determine the student's placement and develop the IEP including the plan for return of the student to HISD.
  18. TSBVI, HISD and the parents will review the student's educational placement every year at the annual ARD Committee Meeting. When the reasons for the initial referral have been met, then it is time to consider having the student return to HISD.
RESOURCES